Standard Eight History

The 1953 Standard Eight was an all-new small car with unitary (monocoque) construction and the new overhead-valve Standard SC engine of 803 cc. Going on sale in September 1953 at £481 after tax, it undercut the Austin A30 and the four-door Morris Minor and was praised for its spaciousness, light controls and the new engine's fuel efficiency, with over 45 mpg easily achievable.

Early cars were famously basic — no external boot lid, sliding windows and minimal trim — but the Eight was steadily improved, gaining 30 bhp from 1957. It and the related Ten were replaced from 1959 by the Triumph Herald, which used an enlarged version of the same engine. The Standard SC unit went on to a long life under Triumph.